Preliminary Observations on the Water Supply of Dvin

One of the primary problems in the research of Dvin was and remains the water supply of the city: irrigation, economic and defense, as well as domestic and drinking water supply systems.

By combining written sources, archaeological data, aerial photos, satellite photos and field work related to the water supply of Dvin, an attempt was made in the article to clarify the main directions of the waterways going from Azat River to Dvin, to present the technical characteristics of the water networks found inside the city.

According to historical sources, orchards were located around the city and not far from it. We consider the evidence of rice and cotton cultivation to be important. Almost all authors attest to the river flowing near the walls of the city of Dvin and the water sources of the city. In some parts of the city walls and the citadel of Dvin, traces of the surrounding water ditch, which was once filled with the waters of the Azat River, are clearly visible. Parts of that system continue to be used for different purposes and to various degrees.

As a result of the excavations carried out in Dvin in 2022–2023, the sediment of the water supply ditch, which is 12 m wide and up to 60 cm thick, was also excavated and examined. According to stratigraphy, the archaeological layer can be dated to the 9^th century.

The network of water pipes of the city is distributed in the area of about 120 hectares. Many distributors, filters, elbows and other structures and artifacts related to water supply systems were also found during the archaeological excavations.